Special feature

American Hardwoods For Furniture – Sponsored by American Hardwood Export Council

Ash cabinet by Pureline

The hardwood forest resources of the USA have been measured as sustainable since the 1950s, which regular inventory data from the U.S. Forest Service have proven. U.S. trade statistics showing continuous growth in exports of American hardwood lumber have underlined this sustainability for decades. Furniture manufacturers in the U.S. domestic and overseas markets have appreciated the strength, durability, grain patterns and finishing qualities of these species for as long as the international trade in modern furniture has continued. American White Oak, Hard Maple, Tulipwood, Black Cherry, Red Alder and Black Walnut are among many which are native only to North America. Grading is consistent under the Rules of the National Hardwood Lumber Association and highly detailed environment data from the American Hardwood Export Council, illustrating the continued growth of the resource and minimal impact, is unique in the international hardwood trade. The American Hardwood Export Council provides a great deal of technical and environmental information about key species suitable for furniture making which have strong market acceptance.

“American hardwoods derive from sustainably
managed forests in the United States. Regular U.S.
Forest Service inventories demonstrate that between
1953 and 2007, the volume of U.S. hardwood growing
stock more than doubled from 5,210 million m3
to 11,326 million m3. There was a 15% increase
in growing stock between 1997 and 2007 despite
strong growth in demand for hardwoods during this
period. U.S. Forest Service forecasts indicate that
further increases of 15 to 20 percent are expected
in the hardwood growing stock inventory through
2030. Projections of hardwood growth and removals nationwide indicate that growth will continue to
exceed removals through to 2050. All forest owners
in the United States are subject to Federal legislation
to protect habitats for threatened species. Tough
regulations governing other aspects of forest
management on private land have been implemented
by individual states. Independent studies indicate
that there is a very low risk of any American hardwood
being derived from illegal sources or from forests
where management practices lead to deforestation or
to otherwise threaten biodiversity.
www.americanhardwoods.org.

The availability of American Hardwood Environmental Profiles for every individual export shipment is a pioneering step forward
in demonstrating the benefit of using American hardwood.

AHEC has developed an easy to use visual system
to allow U.S. hardwood exporters to create a
comprehensive American Hardwood Environmental
Profile (AHEP) with each individual consignment
of product delivered to any market in the world.
For example, the structure and content of the
AHEP aligns to the requirements of the EU Timber
Regulation (EUTR) and closely follows the European Commission’s guidance for the EUTR. Simply put,
AHEPs are a consignment-specific shipping document
providing information to demonstrate the legality and
sustainability of the U.S. hardwood species contained
in that consignment including quantitative data on the
environmental impacts associated with delivering that
consignment anywhere in the world.

AHEC fields experts at furniture trade shows and seminars
intended to provide information about American species.
AHEC maintains a regional office and staff in Hong Kong which works very closely with furniture associations throughout
Asia, except Japan where it has a dedicated office in Osaka.

AHEC staff form USA and Asia

Design Stars Showcase in Singapore

‘Design Stars’ this year featured a collection of pieces by
twenty rising Asian and international designers including
some from France, Lebanon, Mexico, Russia, UK and
USA during the International Furniture Fair Singapore
(IFFS) 2016. Also displayed at the show were the finalists
of the regular Furniture Design Award (FDA), organized
by the Singapore Furniture industries Council (SFIC) and
co-sponsored by AHEC.

As IFFS evolves and matures, it stays true to its calling
to meld ‘design’ with the furniture business. “In all these
years, design has been and remains the focus of the
event’s plans and execution, providing direction and
injecting life to the show each year. Located right in the
middle of the show is the Design Hall (Hall 4), where a
creative buzz is keenly felt,” says IFFS. So for this article
we picked out a few of our own stars from both exhibits
who featured American hardwoods in their personal
designs.

Luis Luna of NAMUH studio with his American Walnut table.

Luis Luna hails from Mexico and started his NAMUH studio
with the aim to re-interpret familiar products through modern
forms and contrasting material that will stand the test of time.
His style is simple, functional and filled with character.

Michelle Nathania, the designer at Pureline

Michelle Nathania from Indonesia had been spotted
by AHEC in 2015 at the IFFINA show in Jakarta with her
excellent American Ash credenza; so it was no surprise to
see her selected for IFFS. She set up ‘Pureline Living’ studio
in 2013 specialising in interiors and furniture solutions with
contemporary designs, clean lines and simple details, “with
the highest quality craftsmanship and finest materials.” www.purelineliving.com

Tarek Elkassouf has divided his time mainly between the
Lebanon and Sydney, specializing in Architecture, urban
planning and furniture design since 2005. He also has
experience in designing for cities and projects across the
Middle East and North Africa. www.tarekelkassouf.com

Hsin-Chun holding her ‘Bent Bench’ in American Red Oak

Hsin-Chun and Ye Liu design in New York at hcwd studio
which they co-founded in 2013, believing that good design
lies at the intersection of functionality and sensibility.

Grace Cheung’s Oak stool to sharee

Grace Cheung from Hong Kong was among the FDA
Finalists with her ‘Stool for Us’ – a piece of furniture about
sharing and connections between two individuals, asking the
question “Are we willing to offer half of the seat to someone
else?” graccccce@gmail.com

John Green, UK with his ‘Otis’ American Oak stool

John Green in the UK is an award-winning designer of
furniture and lifestyle products for manufacturers. He
also works on his own brand and as a freelance designer
collaborating with other designers and manufacturers. www.
johngreendesigns.co.uk

These were just a few of the inspiring young
designers who are emerging in the Asian markets
and undoubtedly hold the future of using fine
materials at the high-end of the furniture business
– in these cases American hardwood species.

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